The government has noted that the Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) working together with Mobile Service Operators can significantly contribute to the country’s Growth Domestic Product (GDP).
And Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati has implored ZICTA to not only regulate the mobile service operators but ensure they increase their contribution to the GDP.
Mr. Mutati was speaking during the ZICTA Breakfast meeting held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, where he said whatever is done in the technology sector must be driven by the principle of collectivity.
Mr. Mutati stated that there is also a need for the affordability of the services offered on both ZICTA and Mobile operator’s sides.
He said if mobile operators are to respond positively, ZICTA should be reasonable and flexible in their operations.
“Quality of service is a function of service. And therefore, how do we collectively work together to find the solution that creates a motivation for increased investment? I think it is certainly something that we need to do,” he said.
Mr. Mutati advised the private mobile operators to bring good habits of operations from other jurisdictions into Zambia because smartphone service in other countries is much higher compared to Zambia.
And Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said dialogue between ZICTA and Mobile service Operators should be encouraged as it brings understanding to both parties.
Meanwhile, ZICTA Acting Director-General, Mwenya Mutale stated that the authority will create a platform that will allow mobile service providers to share ideas as they understand the sector better than ZICTA.
The event was attended by executive members from mobile service providers, ZICTA, and the Ministry of Technology and Science.
“The event was attended by executive members of the mobile providers, ZICTA and the Ministry”. So as usual the most important group was left out: THE CONSUMER. How are you going to improve the service, if you’re not talking to the customer? You are all in LUSAKA where the service is quite good, but you have no idea that 15km outside the capital there’s hardly ANY service
And Felix wants ZICTA to contribute to GDP. That can only mean one thing: higher taxes, so the prices for talktime and data go up, while they are already three times higher than in Europe! Felix has just started but he is already out of touch with the population!
I can now slowly start to see why HH chose old Felix Mutation for Science & Technology.
It’s clear, 1.He wanted someone that understands economics & human/capital development.
2. There is no technology to talk abt in Zambia and, as such he wanted someone that would clearly steer policy formulation that wud lay foundation for young people to start developing Zambian technologies.
Take for instance HH employed a young person as Technology Minister. The young person wud ve simply been importing gadgets & latest ITCs from HongKong at our expense. No indigenous local policy formulation. No future! In developed worlds a young person is perfect but not in our case.
This is a ministry without a scope as yet, his utterances are those that a commerce minister should be making. His interest should be in reviewing what education Zambians get in terms of technology, introducing technology to schools as a subject and other such measures that allow for development in that sector.